I found with this study that there is a marked difference
with the current miners over those miners documented in the
Patch/Work Voices and other sources. The old miners know
certain myths, legends, and folklore that has not been
passed down. Most of this lore is present only in one
aspect, the ethnicity of the people.

Because the patches have become homogeneous and the
ethnicity of people has become more of a mixed "salad,"
there is a loss of the traditions. Although the main
folklore that pertains to the coal mine still persist, there
is a loss of traditions such as grand weddings and
specialized festivals. I had expected to find some mention
of these items, but they were not present. Certainly they
can be recalled of the fathers, but they have not survived
to today.

The lifestyle of the miner has changed from the early
days. He works with computers and electronics. Richard
Marcavitch said that the mine is now like a big video game.
The mine is a different place. However, there is still
folklore in use. Now it has less to do with the ethnic life
which diminishes the fervor for the folklore but it is still
present. During the early parts of the seventies there was
still a struggle against the old and the new, but now it is
a new breed of miner.

The future of the coal miner is still hanging in the air
with all the new regulations. With these could mean the end
of the coal miner's folklore. But at least for now, the folk
lore has not disappeared.